Ok, I am writing a disclaimer of sorts just because I really am still getting used to the idea of even meeting someone online. I think that I’m a decent guy, am fun loving, responsible yet adventurous, have a really great group of friends and family that I spend lots of time with whenever I can, and it may come across a little corny but I really do try to be a man with integrity…not to sound all serious. I really am a guy that loves life, everyone in it, and tries to do right by everyone I meet. I know what I want in terms of broad strokes for my life and love looking forward…hopefully with someone special at some point, but until then I am still enjoying every moment in the here and now. I want to have a family eventually, but am in no rush because I want to find someone I am right for. All this being said, if you have taken the time to read this…and if I write/respond to you to see if we have mutual interest…curiosity…attraction in each other- just know that I have probably really taken the time to read your profile and am genuinely interested in you and am not wasting your time. I will not email everyone/anyone like a fishing expedition. Also, while the questions we answer to see if we have the same opinions and ideas are fun to see, I’d also like to get to know you beyond canned and trivial questions that we both probably answered absentmindedly while watching a movie ;-)

….on to the questions:
Where to begin… I suppose work is a fair place to start since we tend to spend at least half of our waking time there. I'm a merchant marine officer...which essentially means I get to operate ships for a living. Think of the big container ships, tankers, cruise ships, etc and you’ll have the right idea. (Yep, that’s right…someone let me slip through the cracks and gave me a license to navigate a floating city 2 football fields long…oops!) Currently I'm the 2nd Officer when I'm on a ship. I'm working on my license upgrade right now to become a captain in the next couple of years....it’s a bit of a process. That's what I do for a job, but there's a lot more to me than work. I think I’ve said quite a bit about me in answering the other questions below, but if you'd like to know more about me or something specific, please ask. I'm an easy person to talk to and I’m an open book for the most part. More to come later as I think of it… :-)

Lately I’ve been working a lot. The idea being that I work more now while I am single and I will have that much more time to focus on the important things in life later like my family when I eventually have one.

I’m not all work though. I make sure I have balance in my life. I love to spend time outdoors. I am most at peace when I'm out in nature. I find it very relaxing. I love live music, sports, exercise of almost any kind, learning and trying new things like new foods and experiencing different cultures when I travel, spending time with my friends and family over good coffee,wine,beer...and finding enjoyment and contentment in life in general. I only get one life and I want to make it count.

….being an awesome uncle! I have the cutest twin nieces that just turned 3. My favorite moment so far this year was when all of my family was in Hawaii and my nieces were getting a little fussy and grumpy towards the end of the night. My brother-in-law picked one of them up and when my sister went to pick the other one up to take them back to their apartment and she said “NO! I want Uncle Aaron.” I melted. She came over to me and cuddled up in my arms while I carried her home. My nieces have me wrapped around their little fingers...and I spoil them every chance I get!

I asked a friend about this. She said other than physical appearances...people quickly feel comfortable around me when they meet me and that I have a fun sense of humor. People do tend to open up to me quickly, but you'll have to be the judge about my sense of humor ;-) It's somewhere between dry wit and apropos to pretty random things sometimes.

Hmm...honestly....lately it’s been about how I want to have a family of my own some day. I'm not fixated on it or anything. It’s just that a lot of my friends are not only married now, but are starting to have kids as well. It’s something that I want for my life when I find the right person.

Aside from that, I think about things like how am I going to contribute to this world…big picture and also on the small scale. I believe in contributing where and when I can. It doesn’t have to be huge things. I would eventually like to get back into coaching swimming or cross country…or whatever sport happens to be able to use my help…and do things like volunteer with a local organizations, etc. It’s so easy to get caught up with our own little worlds and trying to achieve our own personal goals in life- that at least in my own personal experience I forget sometimes to look around, take a breath, enjoy what’s around me, and help others to be able to do the same. It’s just about being part of a community and not just of this world…but in it. Ok, I’m not going to burst into ‘Kumbaya’ or anything. I’m just say’n.

My best friend once jokingly described who she thought would be the perfect woman for me. She said it would be someone who likes to go out and play hard in nature, but then can come home and get dressed up for a night on the town. That sounds like just about the perfect way to spend some leisure time to me! Course, I do like my down-time too. I love staying in and cuddling up to watch movies or just read...or cuddle ;-) I love to do just about anything social w/ my friends like evening BBQ’s with margaritas or maybe happy hour…and then find time to unwind and have some quiet time either by myself or w/ someone special at the end of the evening.

Hmm, this may be a bit more on the "touchy feely" side....but I can be more sensitive than I let on sometimes. With my job I have to have a very thick skin and a firm disposition when things aren't going smoothly and in emergencies. At work I’m still very much a positive and happy person, but I have to remember that I’m responsible for around 100 people during any given evolution and millions of dollars of equipment and cargo on the ship- so tensions can get high when things aren't happening like they should and I keep my eye on the ball to keep everyone and everything safe. Transitioning to my personal life, I have a very gentle disposition and am a lot more sensitive- taking things to heart when it comes to those who matter in my life. My heart really does end up on my sleeve…and the people I care about do not have to try very hard to see all of me. I let them in without reservation because that’s who I really am and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I would do anything for my family and friends and I try to think of them and their happiness first- because it makes me happy to know they are taken care of.

You should message me if you want to talk to me or want to know anything about me...I don't bite. Well that's not always true, but we can talk about that later if we get to know each other ;-)